Supporting Arlington Together: The Story of the Arlington Latino Resource Coalition

Arlington's story is a story of people coming together.

In 2022, members of Arlington's Latino community came together via a call from the Alzheimer's Association of Tarrant County. Several Latino leaders convened at the Arlington Court House and discussed several topics of support, engagement, and connection. The individuals that gathered there left with a simple but important desire: to continue the conversation and to take action. That desire became the formation of the Arlington Latino Resource Coalition (ALRC), a group created by and for the Latino community with a commitment to advocacy, collaboration, inclusion, and resource sharing.

The Coalition was founded on the belief that we don't need to reinvent the wheel. Arlington already has organizations, leaders, institutions, and community members doing meaningful work. Instead of creating separate efforts, ALRC brings people together, shares information, builds partnerships, and helps connect residents with resources that already exist.

The Coalition meets regularly because relationships matter. Around the virtual table are community advocates, health professionals, nonprofit leaders, educators, faith leaders, leaders in civic spaces, and others who care about Arlington and the people who call it home.

Health disparities were one of the Coalition's original priorities, and that commitment continues today. Members share information about health screenings, cancer prevention, mental health, caregiver education, child safety, environmental health, diabetes, emergency preparedness, and other resources. But the work has grown beyond health. Inclusion and resource sharing are equally important parts of the Coalition's mission.

Over the years, ALRC meetings have become a place where members can learn about opportunities throughout Arlington and Tarrant County and then take that information back to their families, organizations, workplaces, schools, churches, and neighborhoods.

The Coalition has also celebrated the culture and contributions of Arlington's Latino community. Hispanic Heritage Month, Latino professionals, community celebrations, educational opportunities, and Latino representation are all part of the ongoing conversation. We believe that recognizing the people and cultures that make up Arlington strengthens the entire community.

Perhaps the most meaningful part of ALRC's story is that it is not about one organization or one person. It is about relationships.

From a community health worker sharing a resource with another organization - to someone connecting a family to a health screening - or a case manager reaching out to support a family that has run out of options - We are Arlington residents meeting to ask: "What does our community need, and what can we do together?"

As Arlington celebrates 150 years, the Arlington Latino Resource Coalition represents one small but meaningful chapter in the city's continuing story.

Our community is changing, growing, and becoming increasingly diverse. The future of Arlington will be shaped by people who are willing to listen, collaborate, advocate, and make room for one another.

ALRC's story began in 2022, but the spirit behind it is much older: neighbors helping neighbors, families building a better future, and grassroots advocates coming together because they believe the Arlington community can be stronger when everyone has a voice.

For the next 150 years, we hope Arlington continues to be a place where every community is seen, every culture is valued, and everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the story.

We are proud to be part of that story.